GGA

Good Governance Africa’s Executive Director of Programmes, Dr Ruth Kolevsohn, delivers the closing reflections, highlighting how we can build collaborative action between business, civil society, and government, and outlining the critical next steps forward.

The next panel shifts the spotlight to Corporate Accountability, Procurement Integrity, and Compliance Reform in South Africa. Moderated by Fatima Rawat from The Ethics Institute (@EthicsInst), this crucial session goes beyond theory to discuss real, actionable reform. To ground the conversation in community perspectives, Fatima also conducted an audience questionnaire to bring your direct reflections and stances straight to the stage. What does true accountability look like to you? Let us know in the comments.

Now speaking: Francis Nyarai Ndende, Technical Specialist at the Enhancing Accountability Programme’s Technical Assistance Facility. In his opening address, he unpacks how the Private Sector can play a more active, decisive role in strengthening accountability in South Africa. Read the foundational policy paper here: gga.org/policy-discuss…

Back for the final leg! 🚀 @GGA_org’s Chrissy Dube (@xtinedube) returns to the podium as Programme Director. Up next is a deep-dive technical session, challenging our attendees to move past theory and focus on highly practical, actionable ways to tackle corruption. Live updates to follow! 👇

Good Governance Africa SARO Chairman and Global Vice Chairman of Good Governance Africa, Deji Haastrup, delivers closing remarks.

GGA SARO CEO, Lonwabo Patrick Kulati steps in as the panel moderator for a session that looks into avoiding corruption in public procurement, compliance systems, corporate governance and the role of whistleblowers. the panel consists of former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, GGA's Karam Singh, @OUTASA's Wayne Duvenage and @UFSweb's Bernard Agulhas.

@UFSweb "Transparency is the enemy of corruption". These are sentiments shared by @OUTASA's Wayne Duvenage.

Karam Singh speaks on the national anti-corruption strategy, emphasising that everyone has a role to play in the fight against corruption—whether through religious institutions, sports clubs, or civil society. Recalling a personal encounter with former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in Poland, Singh commended him for the monumental work of the State Capture Commission. However, he highlighted a critical limitation: while the commission succeeded in exposing systemic corruption and naming complicit individuals, it ultimately lacked the necessary mechanisms for consequence management and strict legal accountability.

What is truly disheartening are the findings emerging from the Madlanga Commission. As a society, we need leaders who do not send a message to the public that corruption is somehow acceptable or, worse, that it pays. Right now, it appears as though our leadership is indifferent to allegations of corruption, failing to recognise the vital distinction between unethical conduct and criminal behaviour. — Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo

Q&A session currently underway

Corruption by even one person can be detrimental and yields no true benefit to anyone. Ultimately, it simply drives up the cost of doing business. - Dr Max Burger-Scheidlin @iccwbo

Embracing robust anti-corruption frameworks is not just an ethical mandate, but a strategic tool that creates a sustainable, winning environment for all stakeholders. - Dr Max Burger-Scheidlin

Dr Burger-Scheidlin shares insights on how businesses can reduce risk and strengthen integrity systems.

How does ethical governance drive long-term business success? Keynote speaker, Dr. Max Burger-Scheidlin from the International Chamber of Commerce (Austria), shares critical insights on leveraging corruption avoidance to build a truly sustainable competitive advantage.

While cutting corners may seem to save time or money in the short term, it always costs more in legal, financial, and reputational damage. - Dr Max Burger-Scheildin

This peer-to-peer vigilance is equally vital at the management level; leaders must actively dismantle corrupt networks to stop the systemic rot before it compromises the entire organisation. - Dr Max Burger-Scheidlin

When employees call out unethical behaviour among their equals, it prevents malpractice from becoming normalised. - Dr Max Burger-Scheidlin

Dr. Max Burger-Scheidlin emphasises that combating corruption requires a culture of active peer accountability.